In airway management, after chin lift and jaw thrust fail, what is the next step?

• A. LMA with endotracheal tube
• B. Place patient on side
• C. Assess vitals
• D. Administer IV fluids

Answer: (A)

When basic airway maneuvers fail to restore adequate ventilation, the priority is to secure and maintain the airway with an advanced device that can provide ventilation and allow definitive airway control. An intubating laryngeal mask airway is designed for this scenario: it establishes a patent airway quickly and then allows passage of an endotracheal tube through the device to secure a definitive airway. This approach gives you a controlled path to ventilation while you secure the trachea, which is essential in an emergency airway failure.

The other options don’t address the immediate need to ventilate. Lying the patient on their side may help with drainage or aspiration risk but does not solve a failing airway or provide reliable ventilation. Assessing vitals and giving IV fluids don’t correct the obstruction or ensure airway patency or ventilation in this moment.